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Bill Kirk

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Bill Kirk has been editor at the Pierce County Herald in Ellsworth, Wisconsin, since 1988. He holds a bachelors degree in journalism from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. He previously worked in the media distribution department at the University of Minnesota's Minneapolis campus and is past editor of The Tri-County News in Osseo, Wisconsin.

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(715) 273-4334

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Considering there was a much longer application period this year, open enrollment activity in area schools was mostly similar to last year. A significant exception was in the Ellsworth district, where transfers out reported last week were nearly 30 fewer than those recorded in February of 2011. Conversely, Elmwood's latest transfers out were up by eight from early last year and transfers in were down by nine.

First and foremost, Leona Johnson considers herself a writer. As an educator, Johnson's written a book, besides numerous grant applications. With her retirement from the Ellsworth School District after 23 years in education approaching, she wrote an outline of her career to share with the Herald. But first, the teacher who became director of curriculum and instruction for the local schools and, more recently, added Hillcrest Elementary School Principal to her local duties, verbalized some feelings about that progression. Read more in the print version of the Herald May 16.

Just like what the future held for Scott and Sheryel Reeverts of Ellsworth, what they want to share with the public is hidden. But finding their Hidden Oak Antiques and Collectibles could be as rewarding for people as the Reeverts' journey leading to its creation. The Town of El Paso business got underway with a four-day-per-month opening last fall. "We wanted to see who would come," Scott Reeverts said about the abbreviated schedule Wednesday, since discovering many of their patrons are from outside this vicinity, including as distant as Eau Claire and Rochester, Minn.

PLUM CITY--Gail Pommerening describes herself as a "farm girl." So it's not surprising Pommerening's favorite subject for her art is nature scenes. Nor is it unexpected she labors from a studio at her home in the country. "I like to draw with pencils and charcoals," said the artist whose Plum City place will be among the sites featured on the 14th annual Fresh Art Tour, Friday-Sunday, May 18-20, from Maiden Rock to Durand. Read more in the print version of the Herald May 9.

Talk about capturing the fabric of the community. Organizers of a local sesquicentennial project at the Ellsworth Public Library have done just that with a fabric art mural. "The Long and Winding Road: Celebrating Ellsworth's 150th Anniversary" is the name of the mural display previewed at an event on May 6. "We're using dowls to hold up the 20 pieces placed side-by-side," Library Director Shelley Anderson said, inviting the public to look to the center of the library's west wall, now through August, to see it. Read more in the print version of the Herald May 9.

HAGER CITY--If--like a cat--Chris Larson has nine lives, those remaining can hardly be as medically challenging as the ones he's already lived. This Thursday, Larson will mark the 25th anniversary of his heart transplant by visiting his physician for his annual check-up. Doctor's visits are as natural for the Hager City resident as catching mice would be if he really was a cat. But he'd much rather be at a tractor pull. Read more in the print version of the Herald May 2.

For the most part, area students beat their counterparts statewide when it comes to scores from the most recent round of state testing. The results for 2011-12 from the Wisconsin Student Assessment System (WSAS) testing, done last fall, were announced last month by the state's Department of Public Instruction (DPI).

One of the biggest challenges for Heather Logelin, foundation director at River Falls Area Hospital (RFAH), is making the public aware of availabilities at the hospital. Logelin told Ellsworth Chamber of Commerce members Wednesday area residents are driving elsewhere for services they can get right here in Western Wisconsin.

For Jay Nesseth, show business didn't start with an acting gig--his road to stardom began with singing. Nesseth said Wednesday he was a singer in the choir at Ellsworth's St. Francis Catholic Church when he met Judy Johnson, the director of many productions by the Great River Road Theatre in Prescott. It was shortly after Easter one year when Johnson encouraged him to become involved with that troupe.

The low bid of $406,296 plus a $12,000 alternate from Peterson Companies of the Twin Cities for track reconstruction was accepted by the Ellsworth School Board Monday. The bid was higher than the $300,000 to $350,000 for the first two feet plus another $50,000 for a four-foot sub-cut which had been estimated by Cliff Buhman of Inspec, consultant hired by the school district for the project.